ANOTHER NEW YEAR

Hey everyone!!
Well, another year has come and gone. I know that a lot of people have talked about what a terrible year 2016 was. It is true, we lost so many celebrity icons. It is also true that 2016 seemed to be a year fueled by nasty politics and hate. But now that it is a new year, it is time to look FORWARD!
I usually take the time at the end of each year to look at my accomplishments, to judge the wins - and the losses and make a plan for the future. I encourage you to do the same! It is helpful! Truthfully, 2016 wasn't a stellar year for me. Not a lot of GAINS, but I feel fortunate to have not LOST a lot either. There have been other years, when the personal loss was overwhelming. THIS was not that year for me. WHEW! Grateful!!!

So in the spirit of gratitude, please indulge me as I share my 10 positives of 2016.....

1.) According to my accounting software I was fortunate enough to have served over 150 clients this year. THAT is pretty great. Certainly not a record high, but still pretty good!

2.) According to INstagram, I recieved almost 13,000 likes. So there is that......it's good news to be addicted to other people's opinions of you and your work....RIGHT.....RIIIIGHT???

3.) I was picked up a new and exciting Gallery in the last month of the year....Blue Crow Gallery - this is my first NEW gallery in a few years. Thanks Jodi!

4.) I was also fortunate to gain a great new retailer for my merch. Donna at The Hamilton Store is an absolute DELIGHT, and the store has some really great stuff!!!!!!

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5.) I worked on a HUGE mural project with my friend Cindy Scaife, and remembered the goods and BADS of what it was like to be a mural artist. It was super fun, amd it gave me new ideas!

6.) I moved into my shared studio space at Walnut Studios, and was able to paint in the sunlight for the first time in YEARS!

7.) I completed 130 new paintings ranging in size from 6" to 40". ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

8.) I added 13 new postcards bringing my total up to 34 postcards, and also added 11 new giclee prints! WHICH IS A LOT! :-) 

9.) I got a new website and added a store to my new website - where you can buy my merch!

10.) I participated in 8 little coffee shop/restaurant/gallery/store shows, and 5 outdoor shows. Each outdoor event was a disaster. Between the HEAT and the rain, it was my worst summer in 12 years!

BUT I FINALLY learned a lesson.....I need to scale back and do mostly INDOOR events. THIS WAS A HARD WON LESSON!!!!!!! I cannot tell you how awful 2016 was....I just am tired of these games with Mother Nature......SO TIRED..... 

But......despite the hard lessons, the rain, the heat, and the mediorcity of my bottom line last year, I am still grateful!
 
Grateful that I get to do this for a living and still LOVE it!!

So what's the plan for 2017?

This year I am focussing on creating new work and finding brand new opportunities! I want to attract some new galleries, and I want to get a few out of town exhibitions cookin'! I am excitied to already be entering so many different art calls. I am also in the process of planning a solo art exhibition - my first in years! 
 
So, thanks for joining me for the ride so far, and I look forward to seeing where this year takes me!